Closure for fluid container



A ril 10, 1956 S. E. ALLEN CLOSURE FOR FLUID CONTAINER Filed Sept. 16,1952 w 34 22 40 i .36 33 f 2 9 .97

INVENTOR. .ScorriALLnv MEM ATTORNEY United States Patent W CLGSURE FORFLUID CONTAINER Scott E. Allen, Verona, N. 3., assignor toPyrene-C-O-Two Corporation, a corporation of Deiaware ApplicationSeptember 16, 1952, Serial No. 309,381

6 Claims. (Cl. 169-31) The present invention relates to stored pressurefluid medium containers with discharge control such as are .usedprincipally for pressurizing fire extinguishers or Thecontainer'utilizing a closure in accordance with the invention isparticularly suitable for use as a pressurizing vessel for a dry powderfire extinguisher. It is important that the pressurizing vessel have aleak-proof seal as the extinguisher may not be used for sometime butmust be available for instant use in the event of a fire.

While seat valve closures have been provided for some containers, itgenerally has been found desirable in the smaller units to provide adisc seal. Among the advantages of the disc seal is that when properlymade it almost always remains leak-proof. Another advantage is that thedisc provides a safety outlet for the release of the fluid in the eventthe pressure in the container builds up to an unsafe amount as when thetemperature of the container is raised excessively. Still anotheradvantage is that the stored fluid may be released instantly upon therupturing of the disc by a puncturing member.

While the disc acts as a safety valve to relieve the excessive pressure,such as may occur in the container under high temperature conditions, soas to prevent the bursting of the wall of the container, there may be ahazard in that in an unsecured container, the recoil of the escapingfluid may cause the container to rocket about and possibly cause injuryor damage.

Heretofore, in some cases, attempts have been made to overcome thisdifficulty by restricting the outlet passage of the closure for thecontainer by making it of small diameter or by placing an orifice membertherein so as to limit the rate of discharge of the fluid and thus limitthe recoil. With such constructions difiiculty has been found in somecases in that the charging rate is very slow, thus, considerably addingto the charging and recharging costs. Also, with the priorconstructions, it is difficult to drain out any water or other materialwhich may have entered the container either before its original charge,or in the case of a recharged extinguisher, during the period while itsdisc was ruptured. Of course, the water or foreign material may beremoved by devalving the container, however, this entails additionalwork and each such devalving' operation weakens the engagement of thethreads of. the closure with the threaded outlet of the container.

In the case wherein the container is used for the expulsion of a drypowder fire extinguishing agent, it is desirable that the pressurizingagent be discharged as rapidly as possible soas to flufi up, and agitatethe powder. In addition it is desirable that the expulsion agent2,741,3i8 Patented Apr. 10, 1956 January 10, 1950, now Patent No.2,684,180 issued July 20, 1954, there is shown a stored pressure mediumcontainer with a closure including a sealing disc and an apertured discinterposed between the sealing disc and the interior of the container.In this device upon rupture of the sealing disc under excessivetemperature conditions the apertured disc restricts the outward flow ofthe stored medium to a safe a'm'ount, thus preventing an appreciableamount of recoil. Under conditions of normal operation as for expellingdry powder from a tire extinguisher, the puncturing member is adapted torupture the sealing disc and extend through the apertured disc making anopening of a size such as will permit the rapid discharge of thepressurizing medium. While this device has been found generallysatisfactory, some difliculty has been had in incorporating the devicein fire extinguishers having a puncturing member of 'a short stroke sothat the penetration of the orifice disc is insufiicient to enlarge theopening thereof sufficiently to provide the desired high discharge rate.

Another device which has been provided to store the pressurizing mediumfor a dry powder fire extinguisher is disclosed in Scott E. Allenapplication Serial No. 141,539, filed January 31, 1950, now U. S. Patent2,634,814 issued April 14, 1953. In this device an apertured valvemember is positioned between the sealing disc and the interior of thecontainer. This device provides for the rapid recharging of thepressun'zing fluid container, and produces a restricted discharge uponthe rupture of the sealing disc as under a condition of excessivetemperature. In order to utilize this device for pressurizing a drypowder fire extinguisher, it is necessary that the puncturing memberhave a length sufficient to extend into the passage of the closuremember" a sufiicient distance tounseat the aperturedvalve member andremain in that position during the discharge.

The present invention aims to overcome the difliculties anddisadvantages of prior devices by providing a closure for a pressurizingfluid container in which the closure provides for the rapid charging andrecharging of the container, provides a limited discharge rate underconditions of excessive temperature rise, and, when opened by apuncturing member, produces a high rate of discharge.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stored pressure mediumcontainer closure which is simple and economical in manufacture,efficient in operation, and durable in use.

These objects are accomplished by providing a stored pressure mediumcontainer having a-closure member incorporating-a sealing disc with afluid fiow limiting member in proximity thereto and removable therewithfor ease and replacement. The fluid flow limiting member is normally inpositionto limit the outward flow yet may be readily moved out of flowblocking position so as to remain in a position to permit unrestrictedflow through the outlet' passage.

The invention is advantageous in that a disposable unit is provided atlow cost, thus, rendering it feasible to provide a new closure includinga new fluid fiow limiting means with each recharge overcoming anypossible dilficulty which might arise as from damage to the orificebecause of corrosion, dirt, or mishandling.

Gther objects and advantages ofthe invention will be apparent from thefollowing descriptionand from the accompanying drawing which shows, byway of example, anembodiment of the invention.

' fluid medium under high pressure.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 illustrates a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a powderfire extinguisher incorporating a stored fiuid pressure medium containerclosurein accordance with the invention. 2

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a unitary assembly ofasealing disc and a fluid flow limiting member in accordance with theinvention.

Figure 3 is a plan view at enlarged scale illustrating the flap fluidflow limiting member in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown in Figure 1 a powder fireextinguisher 19 pressurized by a stored fluid pressure medium container11 in which the contents thereof are retained by a closure 12 inaccordance with the invention.

The powder fire extinguisher is illustrated to show a use for the storedfluid pressure medium container 11 and its closure 12. The extinguisherincludes a standard shell 14 adapted to contain a fire extinguisherpowder which is charged through a filling opening at the top of thecontainer which is then closed by a conventional cap 15. Upon thedischarge .of the extinguisher, the powder is pressurized by the fluidfrom the container 11 and expelled through an outlet elbow 16 and adischarge hose 1! through a suitable nozzle (not shown). Within thefilling opening is a shoulder 19 to support an apertured casing 26adapted to provide a space within the powder'charge for the container11. Depending from the under surface of the cap is a tubular portion 21having a threaded interior surface to receive an apertured insert 22with a flanged end 24. A puncturing member 25 is adapted to slide withinthe apertured insert 22 upon pressure being applied to an actuating cap26 to facilitate the rupturing of the closure member of the container aswill later appear. The cap 15 is made with a conventional handle ring-30for the easy transportation of the extinguisher and for use as a handlefor engaging'the cap 15 after the filling operation.

The stored fluid pressure medium container or pres sure vessel 11comprises a body or container portion 31 made of any suitable materialsuch as steel to store the The upper end of the container body is madewith a threaded discharge opening 32 in which is secured lower end 34 ofthe closure fitting 12, a fluid passage 35 extending therethrough.

The outer end of the fluid passage 35 is enlarged as indicated at 36 andformed with an outwardly directed main sealing seat 37. The outersurface of the upper end of the closure fitting 34 is threaded asindicated at 39 so that the closure may be received in a cartridge cap40 apertured as indicated at 33 for the discharge of gas therefrom. Thecap member 40 has its upper end turned inwardly to engage over theflange 24 of the apertured insert 22 to swivelly hold the cartridge inposition with its outlet adjacent the puncturing member 35.

The enlarged outer portion 36 at the passage of the closure member 12 isthreaded to receive a conventional to provide a leak-proof seal with thesurface of the sealing disc 47. The size of the aperture 51 ispredetermined to permit-a desired high rate of flow from the container11 after the sealing disc 47 has been ruptured.

On the inner side of the seat disc 50 is a recoil limit- .ing orificeplate or disc 54 which is preferably made of cold rolled annealed copperor equivalent material. An aperture or flow limiting orifice ispreferably placed in the center of the recoil preventing disc 54, thesize of the opening 55 depending upon the desired rate of flow of thefluid from the container 11 in the event the disc 47 is ruptured under acondition of excessive pressure rise in the container 11 as might occurupon the exposure of the container to an excessively high temperature. Aflap 56 is formed in the recoil preventing disc 54 preferably 'bycutting away a generally horseshoeshaped portion 57. The diameter of theflap 56 is made greater than the diameter of the aperture 51 in the seatdisc 50 so that normally the flap member overlies the wall of theaperture 51 which acts as a seat for the flap memin order to provide aunitary assembly with the sealing disc 47, the lower end of the sealingdisc nut 41 is turned inwardly to hold the various discs against eachother. However, the turned-in end has a greater diamber.

eter than the diameter of the main seat 37 so as to pro- 7 vidc spacefor the contact of the under side of the recoil preventing disc 54 withthe seat 37.

In operating the extinguisher 10 fitted with a'stored fluid pressuremedium container 11 having a closure member 12, the extinguisher isinverted and its cap 26 struck against a surface to move the puncturingmember 25 in- Wardly to rupture the sealing disc 47 releasing the storedfluid pressure medium to expel the fire extinguisher powder through thehose 17. It will be seen that after the puncturing member ruptures thedisc 47, its point 29 passes through the aperture 51 and strikes theflap 56 of the recoil preventing disc 54. The flap 56 is pushed awayfrom contact with its seat disc 59 and by reason of its fabrication ofsoft material remains in the inwardly turned position after thepuncturing member tip 29 has been withdrawn under the action of thespring 27. 'Thus, it will be seen that an unrestricted passage isprovided limited only by the size of the aperture 51 of the disc 50. Thefluid discharge medium is thus discharged at a rapid rate to fill thevoids in the powder for the pressurization thereof and also to cause aninitial agitation of the powder so that it may be readily expelled in aneven flow.

It is customary in providing refill containers 11 for the recharging ofthe extinguishers 1G to store the cartridges prior to their use. Undersuch conditions of storage, or during the transportation thereof, in theevent of an excessive temperature rise resulting in a pressure build upwithin the'container 11 to a dangerous amount, the sealing disc 47 isadapted to rupture to release the stored fluid medium. Upon the ruptureof the sealing disc 47,

the fluid medium is released at a rate limited by the size of theorifice 55 in the recoil preventing disc 54. By reason of the small sizeof the orifice 55, the recoil of the container 11 is held to a safelimit so that there is practically no movement thereof during thedischarge. It will be seen that the pressure of the discharging fluidagainst the under side of the recoil preventing disc 54 firmly holds theflap portion 56 against the seat disc so that the entire flow is throughthe aperture 55. A like slow rate of discharge will occur in the eventthe container 11 is installed in the extinguisher 10 and theextinguisher subjected to an excessive temperature rise.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with reference toa specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that otherembodiments may be resorted to without departing from the. invention.For example, while the flap portion 56 has been illustrated as made bycutting away a portion of the disc 54, it is obvious that an equivalentconstruction would be obained in the event no material were removed anda weakened portion formedby scoring the surface of the disc 54 or byutilizing other conventional means so that a weakened portion is formedoutlining the flap portion 56 which then may be broken away under actionof the puncturing member as above described. Furthermore, an equivalentconstruction would result in the event the flap portion 56 were made asa separate member to be attached at its outer end to the underside ofthe seat disc 50 by riveting, welding, or the like. Furthermore, whileaperture 55 is described and illustrated as being in the center of theflap portion 56, in an equivalent construction it might be positioned atany location on the flap within the area exposed to the opening 51 ofthe seat disc 50. Still another equivalent construction would result inthe event the aperture 55 were to be made in the seat disc 50 at anysuitable location, for instance, opposite the space provided by the cutaway portion 57. Therefore, the form of the invention set out aboveshould be considered as illustrative and not as limiting the scope ofthe following claims.

I claim:

1. A closure for the outlet of a stored pressure fluid container adaptedto be opened by a puncturing member, the closure having a passagetherethrough, means to hold the closure in the outlet of the container,safety; means closing the passage in the closure and adapted to beopened by a perdetermined container pressure below the bursting pressureof the container, flap seat means positioned about the passage, anapertured member, and a flap for the apertured member normally incontact with the seat means, so that outward flow resulting from theopening of the safety means by a pressure above the predetermined amountis limited by the size of the opening in the apertured member, the fiapadapted to be swung away from the seat means by the puncturing memberafter the safety means has been opened, so that outward flow is limitedonly by the size of the passage in the closure.

2. A closure for the outlet of a stored pressure fluid container adaptedto be opened by a puncturing member, the closure having a passagetherethrough, means to hold the closure in the outlet of the container,a safety disc closing the passage in the closure and adapted to beruptured by a predetermined container pressure below the burstingpressure of the container, flap seat means positioned about the passageand facing towards the interior of the container, an apertured disc, anda flap portion cut from the apertured disc normally in contact with theflap seat means, the aperture positioned in the flap portion, so thatoutward flow resulting from the rupturing of the safety disc by apressure above the predetermined amount is limited by the size of theopening in the apertured disc, the flap adapted to be swung away fromthe flap seat means by the puncturing member after the safety disc hasbeen ruptured, so that outward fiow is limited only by the size of thepassage in the closure.

3. A closure for the outlet of a stored pressure fluid container adaptedto be opened by a puncturing member,

the closure having a passage therethrough with a threaded portion, mainseat means about the passage facing outwardly from the container, anapertured disc in the passage outwardly of the main seat, a safety discin the passage outwardly of the apertured disc, a sealing disc nutadapted to engage the threaded portion of the outlet to urge theapertured and sealing discs towards the main seat, apertured disc seatmeans interposed between the apertured and sealing discs, and a flapportion for the apertured disc normally in engagement with the apertureddisc seat means so that outward flow resulting from the rupturing of thesafety disc by a pressure above the predetermined amount is limited bythe size of the opening in the apertured disc, the flap adapted to beswung away from its apertured disc seat by the puncturing member afterthe safety disc has been ruptured so that outward flow is limited onlyby the size of the passage in the closure.

4. A closure for the outlet of a stored pressure fluid container adaptedto be opened by a puncturing member, the closure having a passagetherethrough with a threaded portion at its outer end, a main seat aboutthe passage facing outwardly from the container, a sealing disc nutassembly adapted to engage the main seat, the sealing disc nut having arecess therein, a sealing disc in the recess, an apertured disc seat incontact with the sealing disc, an apertured disc in contact with thedisc seat, the end of the nut turned in to form a unitary assembly, anda flap portion cut from the apertured disc, the aperture positioned inthe flap portion, the flap portion normally in engagement with theapertured disc seat so that outward flow resulting from the rupturing ofthe safety disc by a pressure above the predetermined amount is limitedby the size of the opening in the apertured disc, the flap adapted to beswung away from its apertured disc seat by the puncturing member afterthe safety disc has been ruptured so that outward flow is limited onlyby the size of the passage in the closure.

5 A sealing disc nut assembly for a container adapted to be opened by apuncturing member comprising a sealing disc nut having passagetherethrough and a recess at one end thereof, a sealing disc in therecess, a seat member in the recess, and a flap apertured disc in therecess, the end of the nut turned inwardly to hold the parts in aunitary assembly.

6. A sealing disc nut assembly for a container adapted to be opened by apuncturing member comprising a sealing disc nut having a passagetherethrough and a recess at one end thereof, a sealing disc in therecess, a seat member in the recess, and an apertured disc in therecess, the apertured disc having a flap cut therein, the aperturepositioned in the flap portion, the end of the nut turned inwardly tohold the parts in a unitary assembly, the flap member normally engagingthe seat member to limit outward flow depending upon the size of theaperture in the apertured disc, the flap adapted to be swung away fromits seat by the puncturing member so that outward flow is limited onlyby the size of the passage in the sealing disc nut.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,610,693 Allen Sept. 16, 1952 2,634,814 Allen Apr. 14, 1953 2,684,180Allen July 20, 1954

